South West Community Policing Team (SWCPT) officers have been carrying out a shoplifting initiative with plain clothes patrols concentrating on the Gorgie, Dalry and Chesser areas:
A 35 year old male was arrested on 15 outstanding warrants and charged with 23 shoplifting offences.
A 34 year old female was arrested on 3 warrants and charged with 26 shoplifting offences.
A 24 year old male was arrested and charged with 9 shoplifting offences and an offence under the Protection of Retail Workers Act.
A 45 year old male was arrested and charged with a shoplifting offence having attempted to sell his stolen alcohol to a local pub. The pub refused to buy it from him.
A 26 year old male and female were both reported for a theft shoplifting and males aged 19, 20 and 35 were all given Recorded Police Warnings for shoplifting offences.
A man has been charged in connection with the death of 44-year-old Vikki Soloman in Edinburgh.
Around 8.45pm on Monday, 20 July, emergency services were called to a property in Craigievar Square in the city and Vikki was found with serious injuries and pronounced dead at the scene.
The 46-year-old man was arrested a short time later and has now been charged.
He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow – Thursday, 23 July, 2026.
POLICE are appealing for information after two pedestrians were struck by a car at Little France.
The incident happened around 3.40pm on Monday, 20 July, 2026, outside the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on Little France Crescent and involved a red Peugeot 208.
The two pedestrians, an 85-year-old woman and an 88-year-old man, remain in a critical condition.
No other injuries were reported.
Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident and has yet to speak to officers to please come forward.
“I’d also ask those with dash-cam footage who may have been parked or driving into the area at the time to please review this to see if it has captured anything that could assist with our investigation.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2205 of 20 July, 2026.
Two people have been arrested and charged after a man was found with serious injuries in Edinburgh.
The 43-year-old man was discovered unresponsive in a garden in Whitson Road around 9.30pm on Friday, 17 July, 2026.
He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he remains in a critical condition.
A 24-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Both are due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court today Tuesday, 21 July, 2026.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonny Wright said: “Incidents of this nature can understandably cause concern amongst the local community and officers remain in the area to provide reassurance.
“We’d like to thank members of the public for their assistance during our investigation.”
POLICE officers engaged with seven motorcyclists as part of a new safety initiative aimed to reduce rider harmat the weekend.
The rider reflection and safety initiative in the Lothian and Scottish Borders began trial on Saturday, 18 July, and saw drone technology used to support engagement with the motorcycling community and help reduce rider harm.
Within clearly signposted areas, drones were used to support officers in engaging with riders who may benefit from constructive conversations around safer riding choices.
Riders were offered the opportunity to review their footage to reflect on their behaviours that may increase risk on the road.
The initiative follows data published last year by Transport Scotland showing that 18% of all road fatalities were a motorcycle rider or passenger, despite motorcycles only being estimated to account for less than 1% of traffic in Scotland.
During the trial deployment, seven riders were approached and given the opportunity to speak with officers.
Two riders were given warnings re speed and two were issued with vehicle defect forms.
Chief Inspector Greg Burns, East Area Commander for Road policing, said: “The use of drone technology to support rider engagement has been used by other UK forces as part of wider efforts to reduce those killed or seriously injured on the road.
“Our specially trained and experienced motorcycle officers will use the new initiative to start conversations and offer expert advice to riders. This is to help encourage positive reflection and to highlight additional rider training opportunities that are available.
“The focus here is awareness and education. We want to support riders to think more carefully about high-risk manoeuvres such as unsafe overtaking, as well as excessive speed through bends and junctions.
“We continue to remind all road users to be responsible on our roads. We all have a role to play in making sure everyone returns home safely.”
The initiative is being piloted within the Lothian and Scottish Borders divisional area, providing an opportunity to evaluate and inform future road safety activity as part of Police Scotland’s national motorcycle safety campaign.
A man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison following a series of sexual and violent offences in East Lothian and Elgin.
Christopher Malcolm was sentenced to 16 years in prison and placed on the sex offenders register at Edinburgh High Court on Friday (17 July, 2026).
He was previously convicted of the crimes, including rape and assault to injury and endangerment of life, against four women between 2010 and 2024 on 16 June, 2026, following a trail at the High Court in Edinburgh.
Detective Sergeant Jade Wardell said: “Malcolm subjected four women to years of horrific abuse, causing lasting trauma and having a profound impact on their lives.
“I would like to acknowledge the support provided by all victims throughout the investigation and court process, which has ultimately led to his conviction.
“Violence and abuse of any kind have no place in society and we remain committed to supporting victims and bringing those responsible to justice.
“I would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or violence to report it to police. Every report will be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.”
POLICE officers in Edinburgh yesterday executed a warrant in relation to the spate of recent car vandalisms known locally as ‘The Scratcher’.
A 25 year old male was arrested, and following interview, charged for these offences. He will be held in police custody to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday.
This is the result of an extensive enquiry, and we would like to thank everyone affected for their patience as the case was built. Work is still ongoing to identify further instances.
If you have any information, or are a victim who has not yet reported it, please contact us on 101, or online via the Police Scotland website.
We all love sharing holiday photos, but posting in real-time could alert criminals that your home is empty. It also puts you at greater risk of identity theft if your personal details or travel plans are shared publicly.
Top tip: Save the snaps for after your trip and keep location tags off your posts.
If you have any information, or are a victim who has not yet reported it, please contact us on 101, or online via the Police Scotland website.
